28/01/2014 River City

Dan!

How are you, Tattie?

-Dr Dan...

-He's back?

He's the new locum at the surgery.

Fines, bills, final demands,

they're not gonnae just go away.

I've had to be careful since me and Jimmy split up.

-Everything's under control now, I promise you.

-Aye?!

No matter what happens, no matter what you decide to do,

I'll always love you.

HELICOPTER FLIES OVER

MUFFLED GUNSHOTS AND SCREAMS

MUSIC PLAYS ON RADIO

Cal, look at the mess you're making.

Right, you. Come on, get changed, uniform.

I'll sort her.

Right...

Come on, missus.

Hey, I need you to do a shift with Grace today.

-Is Nic not up yet?

-No, not yet. So can you?

-Can I what?

-Have Grace later?

-Won't Nic be here?

-Yes, but I've got to get to work

and you know she won't cope all day on her own.

TELEPHONE BEEPS

So when can I expect you?

Look, I've got stuff to do in the flat,

then I'm going to have my hands full with Mandy Kennedy all afternoon.

You need to have a word with her.

-She says "Jump", you say "How high?"

-It's work, Leyla.

-Gabriel!

-I'll be back when I'm back. OK?

Callum's forgotten his trading cards.

Seems like he's setting up the biggest deal the playground's ever seen. Are you all right?

Me? Aye, fine. Painkillers.

Toothache.

Loneliest pain in the world. That's what they say, isn't it?

-Here you go.

-Thanks.

DOOR CLOSES

Sorry I missed your call.

It'd be great to see you, I'm just not sure what's happening with my shifts yet.

Give us a call, we'll put a date in, OK? I'll talk to you soon.

Thanks very much, mate.

Hey, bolt, ya rocket. Get your own.

It's really good of you letting me stay at the flat.

Are you OK over at the Brodies'?

It's no bother. Listen, sorry about the state of the place.

The builders, well, they must be having trouble finding somewhere to tie up their horses.

Either that or they're rustling cattle somewhere in East Kilbride

instead of actually getting the job done, you know what I mean?

Well, compared to what I'm used to it's like the Savoy. Hey, you.

Morning, Dan. Gabriel. Are you working today?

Sure am.

Can't promise you any amputations,

but I reckon we can line up some ear syringing for you.

-I can't wait.

-And don't work too hard.

I've got a few folks rounded up for a couple of drinks

-in the Tall Ship tonight.

-Tattie, I'm only here for six weeks, don't go getting the bunting out just yet.

-I'll be gone just as you're getting sick of seeing me.

-I wouldn't worry about it, Dan.

They're just using you as an excuse for a good bevy.

You know what that lot are like.

Oh, well, I better not let them down then, eh?

-See you later.

-Let's get to work.

You all right, darling? We better get a shift on.

Usual Scarlett, eh, coo's tail?

Oh, you and Raymond got time for a couple of croissants

and some cappuccino in the morning?

-Oh, aye, sure.

-Aye, try and get this lot out in time.

I'll go and get her coat.

"Essence of camomile, to reduce the stresses

"and strains of everyday living."

-Give me them, you.

-Who gave you them? A witch doctor?

They're homeopathic, actually. I thought I'd give them a try.

Right, darling, away and get your shoes on.

Scarlett, are you all right?

Aye, I'm fine, Jimmy. It's just everyday life.

It's a wonder I'm not downing a bottle of vodka a day.

Leyla, do you mind getting that in the post for me today, please?

Sure, no bother.

I'm sorry about earlier.

I didn't mean to put you on the spot.

No, it's OK.

It's going to take a bit of getting used to.

-People being civilised.

-Guess there wasn't much partying over there?

No. But we did laugh. A lot.

Must have been tough at times.

It was tough all the time.

You pray for a dreamless sleep

cos it's the only rest you're going to get.

I hope you sleep better now.

No, I do. Thanks, Tatiana.

I sometimes feel like just packing a bag and going.

Shall we?

What, are you serious?

Come on. Don't be ridiculous.

Don't forget who you're married to.

Oh!

I know exactly who I'm married to.

That's why I can have you in my bed and look him straight in the eye an hour later.

And not betray a moment of us. Of you.

We'll be OK, Gabriel.

TELEPHONE RINGS

Leave it.

I better get it.

Leyla?

No, I know I did.

But I just...I need to finish this job first...

Then, I'll give Nicole a wee break...

Yeah, I will.

Right, OK.

Bye.

What are you playing at?

Duty calls?

You know, there was a time when all Leyla would have wanted was to look after a little one.

But with you there too, though?

Well, aye.

Hey...

..but I've got you now though, haven't I?

Better not keep her ladyship waiting.

So we're not having leaving drinks for me going to Manchester

for three weeks, but we're having a party for Dan?

You were the one who didn't want to do it.

Well, it would have been a bit hypocritical, wouldn't it? Seeing as you're not going to miss me.

-Not tonight, eh?

-Oh, yeah.

Happy families.

Of course I'm going to miss you.

We're having problems, Bob,

but it doesn't mean you're not the same man I fell in love with.

So let's behave like grown-ups, OK?

Oh! Here he is. What can I get you?

Tonic water, please, Stevie.

You not been shot then?

No, not yet. You?

Here you go!

No, no, no. I'll get this.

Cheers.

THEY CHEER

So we had to set the hospital up at night-time

to avoid the border militia.

We had to work in complete silence.

There was six of us doing all-nighters,

and we couldn't even talk.

-You'd better not volunteer then, eh, Molly?

-Wheesht, you!

We could have done with you out there, Molly.

Once we were up and running, it was chaos.

The guards would steal the drugs to sell on in the city.

We only had a few lockable cabinets

so we took to hiding all the medicine in paint tins.

-Jimmy did that.

-What are you talking about?

He used to stick his pieces in the glove compartment

so as Lenny wouldn't nick his chocolate biscuits.

THEY LAUGH

I haven't missed the incisive local banter.

It's a laugh a month.

Right, here, come on, a toast to our own local hero, Dr Dan.

ALL: Dr Dan!

I'm proud of you, Dan.

And I can still be proud of you?

-Yeah, you can.

-That's brilliant, Leyla.

After everything you've been through. I don't know how you've done it.

I just kept reminding myself of what I used to be like.

I'm just going to head. I've done my bit.

Have another. It's your last night.

Aye, it is.

Might as well have another flat half lager to celebrate, eh?

So, there was this one night when we were quiet.

There was a few of us playing cards in the triage tent

and we heard this sound, this moaning sound from outside.

We just stopped and listened.

There was this guttural, eerie gargle.

It was coming closer and closer

and then, we looked up and we saw this hand at the opening of the tent.

And this guy walks in, drenched in blood.

His clothes were red, his skin, his hair.

It was just his eyes...just wide and staring.

It was like a...just like a horror film.

Pool of blood forming at his feet.

I've never seen anything like it in my life.

Joe?

Danny boy.

Stevie, dust off your finest single malt. Joe Dearnon's here.

So this is the guy that put the corpse back together.

-He survived?

-He did.

I was telling them about the time Mosi Okoro staggered into our tent.

Mosi? Poor guy, he looked like a rag doll by the time

we finished with him - held together by stitches.

Some gaffer tape and a few safety pins.

Then Dan here who spotted something we had all missed.

After we'd sewn your man back together, Dan thinks, "If he had lost as much blood

"as he was covered in, he would barely be alive, never mind walking."

-I figured it must have been someone else's blood.

-Dan just gets up and legs it out of the tent.

20 minutes later, he staggers in holding what's left of Kofi Okoro.

-Mosi's brother.

-Did he make it?

His life hung by the thinnest of threads.

But he made it.

That's some story.

Look at the lot of you. That was one of the happy endings.

THEY LAUGH

-Let me get a round in.

-No, no, here. I'll get them.

No, no. Come on, "Try to be friendly with the locals." Isn't that one of Robertson's rules?

This guy Professor Robertson ran the training programme in Mogadishu.

-Old school in the extreme, wasn't he?

-And then some.

He used to make us go on ward rounds.

There was one time we stopped at this guy

who was sat in a chair next to the bed.

He said to him, "Do you mind if we examine you as part of these young doctors' training?"

And then, this guy's like, "Of course, sir, yes, sir."

And Robertson pulls the curtain and says, "OK, we are just going to check your prostate."

So this poor guy drops his trousers

and one by one, we all lined up and had a wee feel.

When it was done, Robertson says, "Thank you, that's very helpful

"and I must say you have a very healthy prostate."

So the poor guy pulls his drawers up.

Then Robertson says, "And what exactly is it you're in for?"

And the guy just turns to him and says, "I'm visiting my brother."

Right, that's us.

Bob, I've still got this.

That's OK, I'll just finish it.

No. It's OK. Just...

you stay.

-There you go, Dan.

-Cheers, Stevie.

Cheers, pal.

He's quite a character.

Joe? He is that.

Must have been good to have a friend like that.

When you're so far from home.

It was.

I used to think of you.

Me?

What it must have been like for you when you first came over here.

Not knowing the language and the customs...

It was hard at first.

Everything was so familiar, but it also seemed so different.

I did miss home a lot when I first came.

I know, I used to watch you staring out the window in a dwam.

LOUD LAUGHTER

But you're settled now.

Yeah, it's good here.

And Bob?

You know. Ups and downs, I guess.

You OK?

Yeah, I'm OK. Just sometimes...

home feels so, so far away.

I know what you mean.

You all right?

Cheers.

What are you doing here, Joe?

Got your message so I thought I'd come visit.

How did you find me?

Why? Are you hiding from me?

No. I just, I didn't tell anyone I was coming back here.

I took a chance.

Look, I've got another posting back to Somalia.

Leaving in a few days, so I thought I'd swing by and say adios.

But hey, if you're not OK with it, I'll go.

Don't be daft, look, you know...

It's good to see you.

Yeah, you too, man.

JOE CLEARS HIS THROAT

Would it be all right if I crashed for a couple of nights?

Joe, look, I'm staying at a mate's place,

he's having some building work done.

On your own?

Yes, but the place is a mess.

A corner's all I need.

I'm sure I can find you a corner.

Good night, boys.

Thanks for tonight.

Any time, Dr Hunter. Any time.

Safe home.

TELEPHONE BEEPS

-One for the road?

-I think we should head.

-Nah, I'm fine.

Oh, come on. Here, Gabriel, did Dan tell you about our last road trip?

-Joe, let's go.

-What road trip?

-Danny here stole a truck...

-Joe, now!

OK, OK, you're the boss.

-Good to meet you, Gabriel.

-You too, son.

-See you.

-Ta-ra.

-You want a cup of tea?

-Sure.

-Were you born in a barn?

-Yeah.

Dan?

Dan!

-The kettle must have blown the fuse.

-It feels like home.

At least we don't need an armed guard at the door.

She's sweet.

Who?

Tatiana. Throwing a party for you.

Got quite a soft spot for you.

-She's married.

-Never. Who to?

Big Bob. He was there.

The big fella? Jeez, he's punching well above his weight.

He's a heavyweight to start with. Oh, poor girl. When they have sex,

-it must be like having a wardrobe fall on top...

-That's enough, Joe.

JOE CHUCKLES

I'm only messing.

She's a good friend.

OK, big man.

-And she's been through a lot, so I don't want you talking about her like that.

-I understand.

I'm sorry.

It's quiet, eh?

I find it hard to sleep.

Me too.

I wouldn't have told Gabriel about the truck. Not everything, you know that.

-Back to civvy street then.

-Aye, for a while.

A tie and a scope.

Wasn't that long ago we went to work in shorts

with a pocketful of adrenaline shots.

I thought you'd have stayed for Mary's funeral.

They flew me back as soon as they discharged me. You know that.

Her family looked at me like I was dirt.

The company man doing his duty.

She used to say me and her dad would have got on.

Then, the first time I meet him, he's lowering his daughter's body into a grave.

I'm sorry.

I know.

You been staying over at your folks'?

For a bit. Then with friends. Bit of a tour.

But this time next week, boy, I'll be back in the heat.

I'd better be going.

Back in my shorts while you'll be scraping the egg off your tie.

I'll see you.

Have a good day, Doctor.

BABY CRIES

I'm going to pop out for some milk.

Are you just going to let her cry?

She's just tired, she'll drop off any minute. Do you want anything?

DOOR CLOSES

-Will you just leave her?

-She's upset.

-She's tired.

And what would you know, Gabriel?

You swan around here doling out advice without actually doing anything.

Come on, I had her yesterday afternoon.

Yeah, for like ten minutes. Grace needs routine, some stability.

She's got stability. What she needs is her mother.

-Yeah, well, her mother doesn't want her.

-Oh, wait a minute.

Well, why else would she be talking about having her adopted, Gabriel?

Because she doesn't think she's good enough.

Not because she doesn't want her.

TELEPHONE BEEPS

I'd better get going.

Great.

DOOR CLOSES

I'm coming, sweetheart.

I've made you breakfast.

Bob?

DOOR CLOSES

I hope you know what you're doing, madam.

That's a big heart to break.

You could have at least said goodbye. But no.

You wanted to leave me feeling like I'd got it all wrong, didn't you?

It's pathetic, Bob. A cheap shot, that's what it was.

Yeah, of course you do.

I'll speak to you later, OK?

Right... Yes...

Bye then. Bye.

Hey, Tatiana. You OK?

If you need to talk, just let me know.

I'm fine.

I know you're fine. You're always fine, aren't you?

But if you ever get tired of being fine, then you just let me know.

-Cheers.

-Ta.

Busy, eh?

Aye, rushed off my feet.

I'll just be with you in a wee second, all right?

Right, what can I get you?

Just a coffee to take away.

So, Stella, I was thinking...

maybe I could pop in here and do a couple of shifts.

Just to help out.

Sorry?

Part-time.

We're not really looking for anybody the now.

Oh, it could actually suit us both, I'm not wanting full-time.

What with the weans and everything.

Well, see, if we were looking for somebody,

Alex is dead strict about who he takes on.

You'd need a CV and everything.

For part-time? Cash in hand?

-Thought you were the manager in here?

-I am.

Is it not up to you?

I wish it was.

Fine.

You'd need at least two references from your previous employers.

Where am I supposed to get a reference from?

I don't know, I'm just saying.

-Oh, I know what you're saying, Stella.

-Scarlett...

Just when I'd forgot how unskilled, how unqualified,

how unemployable I am, you go and remind me. Cheers.

Reference? What reference do you need to take a bacon roll from here to there?

-Here. Have that on the house.

-Oh, don't you dare.

Keep the change.

-I've definitely got an appointment.

-Uh-huh, that's you booked in.

Would you mind writing that down for her?

Molly. You been here for some of his famous bedside manner?

It's good to have him back.

Right, you. Lunch. My shout.

-Yeah?

-Yeah. You fit?

Sure.

So you're booked in for ten on Thursday morning, Molly.

It is my varicose veins, Doctor, I know you've seen them

a thousand times, but they're really giving me gyp these days.

OK. Well, we'll have a look on Thursday then.

Uh-huh.

Ooh, thank you, young man!

I'd forgotten how thrilling general practice is.

Let's go.

Tattie, aren't you going to break for lunch now?

I'll have mine later. Have fun.

OK.

-I'm just going to grab my coat.

-All right.

What are you doing here?

I got as far as Central Station,

then I just kept thinking about what you said last night.

About how I'm still the guy you fell in love with.

I also said we had issues to deal with.

I know. That's why I've come back.

I was so proud of you.

Going for it, trying to change your life, following your passion.

So you'd rather I was gone?

Bob, that's not what I'm saying!

I'm all over the place with this, Tattie.

I can't think about anything else until we get this sorted out.

I thought this was a chance for you.

Something you always wanted?

Look, I phoned and cancelled the course now. I can't go back.

I'm sure that won't be the last time I hear that.

What's that supposed to mean?

There's always an excuse, Bob.

It's never you, is it?

I need to get back to work.

Well, can we have lunch?

I...

I took an early one.

I'll just see you back at the house then.

Six weeks of varicose veins and kids with saucepans stuck on their head?

-You'll be glad to get on a plane, eh?

-There's more to GP life than that.

Of course. I'm forgetting them all hacking up phlegm over your shirt,

and the junkies breaking in every night.

As opposed to stapling some poor guy's guts back into his abdomen, and hoping for the best?

-And making a difference.

-We make a difference no matter where we are, as soon as we take that oath.

Come on, Dan. You can't compare it. We're saving lives out there.

Early detection, correct treatment. Banging on consultants' doors?

We save lives here too.

And how long can you live like that?

It's what we do.

It's what I do.

You seem to have left your balls over there.

I hear Peace Doctors are pulling out of Somalia.

Apparently, it's too dangerous even for them.

I'm not going back with Peace Doctors.

-What? Who are you working for then?

-The rebels.

They need medics.

A journalist I met is embedded with them. He's sorting it out.

So it's not an NGO or a charity?

Front line this time.

I thought we were on the front line?

Come with me. We work well together. We're a good team.

-We were a good team.

-Were?

Dan... Don't tell me you'd rather be back here groping your nurse

in the stationery cupboard than doing any real living?

That's not real life. You can't live like that for ever. Real life is what you left behind when you signed up

-and stepped on that plane.

-You and me both, Dan.

-Hardly.

-Really?

Look how far you had to run, your tail between your legs

because you couldn't cope with it. With real life.

We can leave in two days. The AK47 alarm call.

We're good at it.

We're just doctors, Joe. We're not special.

It's a production line out there and we're just workers.

Oh, Danny boy. They all think you're a hero.

Don't worry, mate. I won't disavow them.

I can't talk about this. I need to get back.

Busy, busy, busy, busy.

TELEPHONE RINGS

SHE PUTS THE PHONE DOWN

TELEPHONE RINGS AGAIN

Hello?

Aye, I know that.

I was just in the process of sorting out this month's payment...

No. No, interest only.

No, listen, Haudit, I told Daudit this yesterday.

You go and ask him.

Aye, well, you do that and call me back.

Hi!

Can you take me into town?

Well... Everything all right?

You didn't reply to my text last night.

I'm sorry, but wee Gracie, she wouldn't settle.

Thought you were in the pub?

It's all getting a bit too real for you, isn't it?

No.

I'm sorry. Things are a bit full-on at the moment for me at home.

HE SIGHS

So what happens now then?

You know I've got commitments. Family.

It's all right for you - a credit card and a suitcase,

that's all you need.

I'm sorry. I didn't mean that.

Look, I just need you to stay strong for me.

Let me deal with Billy.

-And how are you going to do that?

-Who knows?

But I'll think of something.

TELEPHONE BEEPS

Right. Come on.

I asked in the cafe for the nearest they had to a single malt.

Extra hot double espresso with your name on it, sir.

I'll be back as soon as I can.

I'm late for my house call so I've rescheduled my three o'clock.

-You need a lift?

-Oh, thanks. I'll be fine.

I've got... Mmm. Really? That would be great.

Happy to help. That's OK, Dan?

Yeah, sure.

Enjoy.

Have a biscuit with it. Go on, knock yourself out.

Put that back in, Madonna.

That's just stuff for the bin and the charity shop.

We can maybe give the old toys to some other wee lassie?

My dress.

Aw, darling, that's too small for you now.

No.

Eh...

Maybe we should give it to another wee girl, now that it doesn't

-fit you any more.

-It's mine. I don't want another wee girl to have it.

I'm a wee girl.

I know. You're a wee girl.

I keep forgetting - you're just a wee girl.

Right, will we keep it?

OK, go and hang it up in your room.

It's a thankless task sometimes.

It was very good of you to wait for me.

I need to keep occupied.

Dan seems to have settled back, hasn't he?

Mmm.

What?

-Do you know why I'm here?

-Well...to see Dan?

To take him.

We planned to head to Somalia this week. Back to work.

That's not what he said to me.

Well, I don't know what he's been saying to you.

Or you to him, for that matter.

What do you mean?

We have a job to do.

I know you care about Dan and I respect that.

But if you want to support him,

you're better off keeping your mouth and your legs shut.

Just remember the vows you took and let Dan get on with his life.

He didn't come back here for you.

Of course he didn't. I know that.

Dan's not interested in someone like me.

A MARRIED woman.

We're friends. A married woman is allowed to have them, you know.

He needs to go back to what he's good at!

You might think he's OK, but he's got a lot of debts to pay

and if he doesn't start working them off, they're going to eat him up.

What debts?

To his conscience.

Just let him be. OK?

Mary.

Are you listening, Mary?

I've got to go back to work now.

Thank you for the lift.

HE CHUCKLES

-Bye.

-Bye.

TELEPHONE RINGS

Ah, Gabriel. You've read my mind.

What do you want?

Bar girls not interested in your beer gut

and your ugly scumbag coupon?

Billy.

Mm-hmm.

KNOCK AT DOOR

Can I have a word?

Sure.

Joe. This afternoon. He was...

Oh, I don't know.

I know he's your friend but...

Go on.

It's just he kind of lost it with me.

Telling me I was trying to hold you back.

To keep you here.

OK.

I thought you had six weeks here

and he said you guys were meant to be leaving this week.

What else did he say?

Something about you having a debt to pay?

A debt?

On your conscience.

And there was something about his behaviour.

He was erratic and he got very angry with me.

Look, I'll have a word with him.

-No, please, don't.

-Are you sure?

I just think he...he just doesn't like me.

That's not true. He...he...

To be honest with you, he's struggling with being back.

One other thing that struck me as odd.

He seemed confused at one point.

Got my name wrong and called me Mary.

Mary. She was our nurse, from Somalia.

You know the cliche of doctors always forgetting nurses' names?

Well, that's Joe.

He usually relies on "sweetheart", "darling".

I can imagine.

I'll see you.

DOOR LATCH RATTLES

Here we go.

-Och, it's yourself.

-All right, mate.

-Come on in.

Very atmospheric, in here with all your candles and all that, eh?

Well, the irony of living without electricity

now that I'm back is wearing a bit thin.

Yep, I'm sure it is. Listen, that's why I'm here.

The electrician, well, he's promised me first thing in the morning.

I just need to pop off that bit of skirting.

Seems it's beyond him, you know?

So, you looking forward to going back?

To be honest, I'm not sure that I will.

Really? I thought you loved it?

It's amazing. But I've got things going on here.

Not sure if I can just up and leave again.

Have you seen wee Ollie yet?

I saw him when I got back.

Katy's not too keen on me seeing him until I decide what my plans are.

Right.

And being over there,

it makes you focus on what's important in your life.

I really missed him.

I'm sure you did.

But it was more that I missed not being able to be with him.

I thought being thousands of miles away would make it easier.

But it just made me realise how distant we are no matter where I am.

Come on, you're his dad.

Right, that's me.

All he needs to do is run a switch line straight across there,

and I'll pop that bit of skirting back on, all right?

TELEPHONE RINGS

Hello, Dan Hunter.

(I'll leave you to it.)

I know Joe, yes.

Sorry, what's this about?

No, I understand.

Why don't you give me your name and your number

and...if he comes in, I'll get him call you?

And that was Doctor...?

OK. Thanks. Bye.

KNOCK AT DOOR

You should have come down and joined me.

You weren't staying with your friends, were you? Or your folks.

You want to tell me where you've been since we got home?

The pub, mostly.

I think I'll head back down there now.

The hospital called about you, Joe.

Cup of tea, Danny boy?

I'm in the chair.

It's no big deal, Dan.

I spent some time in a psychiatric hospital outside Stirling.

They put me in an acute unit cos they couldn't diagnose me.

Three years of kids bleeding on the table and no sleep might be considered a stressful period.

Do you remember the state of us when they airlifted us after the crash?

It's no surprise my wiring was a bit haywire.

I'm so sorry, Joe.

Well, it's not your fault.

I should never have taken that truck.

I was scared.

I was scared all the time.

-I didn't know what I was doing.

-We were all scared, Dan.

Not you. You thrived on it.

-And I looked up to you.

-What?

You had swagger.

-Swagger?

-Nothing fazed you.

You'd walk out there with bullets flying over your head

-like it was normal.

-Only because I knew you were there.

You'd never have let me go anywhere if you didn't think I'd be OK.

I feel calm when you're around, Dan.

And for all your "charity begins at home" rubbish, you know we did a great job.

Sure people need you here, but it's like you said, they just need doctors.

And not all doctors can do what we did.

They won't take you back, Joe. Not while you're receiving treatment.

You have told them, haven't you?

This new lot need anyone they can get.

And if you're there, it'd be like having my own private doctor by my side. I'll be fine.

You'll make sure I am.

You need to tell them, Joe.

What?

I'm not going back to Somalia.

I might not even go back to Peace Doctors.

No. You're right.

No... We're better than that.

Where's my bag?

Where's my bag?

I'll go now. It's...

It's been great to see you, but I should move on.

I should leave you to get settled here.

-HE SHOUTS:

-Now, Dan, I need to go now!

Joe, stop!

You're OK.

Dan?

I'm sorry.

Bit stressed...

bit stressed with it all.

JOE CHUCKLES

More tea, vicar?

-We need to talk about this.

-I need you to go with me, Dan.

You take care of me.

I got in a fight. I don't know why.

In a pub one night.

They lifted me. Put me in a cell.

I spent the night slowly banging my head against the wall until the blood came.

So they took me to a 136 suite, called the psychos,

the whole shebang, you know?

They called my dad.

He told them he would be advised by the doctors.

He couldn't get there.

Oh, mate.

So I...

I reacted.

You should have seen the other guy.

So they sectioned you?

-And you've absconded?

-Listen to you.

"Absconded." You're not at work.

I gave myself a second opinion.

They had me on level-one obs,

they weren't exactly putting a straitjacket on me.

I was out with a few in town and I just hopped on a bus.

-Joe.

-Come on.

A man doesn't come back from that experience

without a few issues that need sorting out.

Look at you.

What about me?

You've just crawled back under your rock, haven't you?

And don't you dare tell me there aren't times you're struggling too.

Am I right?

I have a few issues to sort out.

So what? I can deal with it. In my own time.

Here. Look.

Remember James?

God. James.

Child soldier. Now he wants to study medicine.

He wants to be like Dr Dan and Dr Joe.

For all that ham-fisted stitching we did.

Were we just putting people back together? No, no, no, no.

It's things like this that matter. This kid.

Just let me go back and help a few more like him.

You want some dinner?

What's going on?

You need to go back to hospital, Joe.

Looks like you're throwing me out.

You need to get better.

Don't you worry about me.

I'll be on a plane in a day or so and you can just erase it all from your mind.

Get your feet back under the table here.

The friendly neighbourhood milksop doctor.

KNOCKING AT DOOR

-They're taking you back.

-No, no, no, no, no.

Just tell them I've left. I've gone and haven't come back.

Please, please, please, please just do this one thing.

It was hard. You know that. You felt it.

And I know you still do.

KNOCKING CONTINUES

I'm no use to anyone sitting in group therapy

or making a papier-mache pot with half my brain pumped full of drugs.

Just tell them I left.

And you know nothing about any hospital.

It was me that called them.

KNOCKING AT DOOR

-Why would you do that?

-This is the police!

You can't go back out there, Joe.

-Why?

-I need you to open the door, please.

Why would you do that to me?

Open up, please!

I don't understand. Why would you do that?

I lose everyone!

HE CRIES

Dad. Mary.

And Dan. Dr Dan.

It's funny...

I thought Mary and me might get married one day.

Then there we were, in the church.

She was in a shroud, not a dress.

I know, Joe.

So I need to go back out and save them.

Everyone I help will be for her.

KNOCKING AT DOOR

-Please, please, please.

-I need you to open the door.

-Don't, please.

We're a team, OK?

We're a team and I need you well.

You'll be right as rain in no time.

-You think?

-I'm sure of it. You've been through a lot.

We both have.

It was worth it, though. We did something.

It makes me want to go up to people.

To stop them in the street and shake them.

Tell them what's happening whilst they're complaining about their boss or what's on the telly.

Can I just say goodbye?

I want you to have this.

Don't you want to keep it?

I want you to put it on your desk.

So that every day you look at him.

And each time you do, you can think about how someone like him is dying right now and you're not helping.

It was good to see you.

You're a coward. A lily-livered apologist.

You couldn't hack it as a dad so you ran away.

It will get you eventually, Danny boy.

It will eat your brain from the inside out.

See you around.

The back courts.

Joe.

JOE GRUNTS

DAN SOBS

He is unwell?

Yes.

You OK?

I don't know.

I really don't.

He's my friend.

He came to me because he thought I could help him.

And I betrayed him.

You know that's not true.

It changed me.

Being out there.

Every day we closed their eyes.

Ordinary people like you and me.

Heading off to the market in the morning,

then dying on our table in the afternoon.

I can't go back.

I can't help them.

Not them.

Not Joe.

And not Ollie.

I thought he'd be proud of me.

Of course he is.

For running away to the other side of the world?

You're an incredible man.

And an amazing doctor.

You can't punish yourself for being human. For making mistakes.

Really?

Yes.

You don't need this.

What are you doing here?

Sorry?

I wouldn't bother if I was you.

You're not going to get your marriage back on track

-by sitting here holding your boss' hand.

-Dan?

You should go.

Go.

It's the mini market, they're having some kind of big PR do out there

and look who's supporting it.

Eileen, have you got any idea what kind of people you're

getting into bed with here?

Whoa, just wait a wee minute. She did get fired for stealing.

If Galbraith advises you to step off a cliff,

you better take a run and jump.

Yeah, but it's my decision here, it's my life.

I don't know how much help Leyla's going to be.

I don't think she even believes me.

And if I can't convince her, how am I going to convince a jury?